Wire-stretcher



(No Model.)

J. H. KOEPPEL. WIRE STRETGHER.

No. 596,888. Patented Jan.4,1898. v

7flmamhg UNITED STATES PATENT EricE.

JOHN HENRY KOEPPEL, OF EGYPT MILLS, MISSOURI.

WlRE-STRET'CHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,888, dated January 4, 1898. Application and November 18,1897. Serial No. 659,030. on model.)

T0 or whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HENRY KOEPPEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Egypt Mills, in the county of Cape Girardean and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ire- Stretchers; and Ido hereby declare. the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to wire-stretchers; and the object in view is to provide a simple, cheap, and effective device of the character referred to by means of which barbed or other wire may be stretched tightly during the construotion or repair of fencing.

The detailed objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the subjoined description.

The invention consists in an improved wirestretcher embodying certain novel features and details of construction and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claim hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an improved wire-stretcher. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, show- .ing the form of the wire-receiving notch; and

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the gripping-plate.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the views.

The improved wire-stretcher contemplated in this invention embodies, essentially, a handle or lever 1 of any suitable length for giving the desired purchase, the said lever being provided in one side with a V-shaped wirereceiving notch 2, the side edges of which diverge from the point at which the wire is grasped and the notch being of a width at its narrow end approximating the gage of the wire, diverging thence for the purpose of permitting the movement of the lever or handle without binding the wire in the notch or kinking or bending the wire unnecessarily. At the narrow end of the notch 2 is arranged a gripping-plate 3, of metal, the same being provided with a notch 4, corresponding approximately in size to the narrow end of the notch 2 and provided with one right-angular edge 5 and one oblique edge 6, the said edge 6 converging toward the opposite edge as the inner end of the notch is approached, thus causing the binding of the wire in the notch i when it is forced toward the lower portion of the notch.

Arranged on that side of the handle or lever 1 where the plate 8 is located is a grippinglever 7, the same being of any suitable length adapting it to be conveniently held by the hand or fingers in grasping the lever 1. The gripping-lever is fulcrumed at 8 intermediate to its ends on the handle 1, and the short end of the lever extends across the notch 4, so that when rocked in the proper direction it will engage the wire and force the same into the contracted portion of the notch 4.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a simple, cheap, and efficient wire-stretcher which may be instantly en gaged with and disengaged from the wire in its stretched condition while the same is being fastened.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-' The herein-described wire-stretcher consisting of a handle provided in one side with a wedge-shaped notch, a gripping-plate arranged at the narrow end of the notch and provided itself with a notch registering with the notch in the handle and having inwardlyconverging sides, and a gripping-lever fulcrumed intermediate to its ends on said handle and operating across the notch in the gripping-plate, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN HENRY KoErPEL.

IVitnesses:

HENRY SoHUL'rE, J osnrn ERVIN. 

